#Yariguin2019

Five Things We Learned From the Ivan Yariguin

Tuesday, January 29, 2019 - 22:15 By Eric Olanowski

The first Ranking Series event of the year, the Ivan Yariguin, wrapped up in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, and here are five things that we learned from the "Toughest Tournament in the World."

1. Russia Boasts Serious Depth at 97kg

The Russian Federation already has their main man at 97kg for the foreseeable future in Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS), the three-time world and Rio Olympic champion, but after the Ivan Yariguin, we learned that they have more than one viable option that they could plug in if anything were to happen to “The Russian Tank.”

Even without their two best 97kg options, the aforementioned Sadulaev and 2018 European champion Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS), Russia won a pair of Yariguin medals at 97kg and knocked out Kyle SNYDER (USA), the two-time world champion and Rio Olympic gold medalist, in the opening round.

Shamil MUSAEV (RUS) reached the top of the podium, while Igor OVSIANNIKOV (RUS) finished with a bronze medal. They also scored a huge win from their “first-teamer” coming into Krasnoyarsk, Rasul MAGOMEDOV (RUS). Magomedov used a massive four-point throw to stun Snyder in the opening round but lost in the quarterfinals to Mongolia’s Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN, which ultimately knocked Snyder out of the tournament.

Post-Yariguin Russian 97kg Ladder
1. Abdulrashid Sadualev
2. Vladislav Baitsaev
3. Shamil Musaev
4. Igor Ovsiannikov
5. Rasul Magomedov

SORONZONBOLD Battsetseg (MGL) was one of three Mongolian women who medaled at 68kg at the Ivan Yariguin. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

2. Mongolian Women Three Deep at 68kg

After their trio of remarkable performances this weekend, Mongolia wrestled themselves into a conundrum at 68kg. Mongolia showed that they have multiple women who can compete with the best wrestlers in the world, winning three of the four medals at 68kg, including qualifying a pair of wrestlers for the gold-medal bout.

SORONZONBOLD Battsetseg (MGL), ENKH AMAR Davaanasan (MGL), and ENKHSAIKHAN Delgermaa (MGL) finished the tournament in first, second, and third place respectively.

The trio of Mongolian women went 5-0 against non-Mongolian opponents and picked up wins over Russia’s four-time age-level world champion Khanum VELIEVA and Japan’s 2016 Olympian Rio WATARI (JPN), while also finishing ahead of Cuba’s U23 world champion Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUES.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)made his return to the mat after failing to medal in Budapest and left Krasnoyarsk with a silver medal. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

3. Taha Still Working on Getting Back to the Top

Turkey’s two-time world and Rio Olympic gold medalist Taha AKGUL (TUR) returned to competition after failing to medal at the world championships for the first time in his storied international career.

Akgul made it to the Yariguin finals after shutting out 2018 world finalist DENG Zhiewie (CHN), 10-0 in the semifinals, but showed he has work to do after falling to Russia’s Anzor KHIZRIEV (RUS) 7-3 in the gold-medal bout.

Akgul was in deep on several low-level shots, but Khizriev capitalized on a pair of crotch lifts in the final period and stopped the Turkish big man from winning his first Yariguin title.

Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) made his 2019 65kg debut and won the bronze medal. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

4. Russians Making Weight Changes Need Time to Adjust

Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) and Magomed KURBANALIEV (RUS) made their 2019 debuts at new weight classes, and even though they finished with bronze medals, they still need time to adjust to their new weight classes.

Rashidov, the two-time world runner-up, moved up from 61kg to 65kg and went 2-1 on the weekend. Rashidov’s only loss was to eventual champion, two-time world bronze medalist, Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) in the semifinals.

Magomed Kurbanaliev, the world and European champion, was the second world-class Russian who made his debut up at a new weight class. Kurbanaliev moved up from his 2018 European title-winning weight of 70kg to 74kg and went 3-1. His only loss was to Yakup GOR (TUR), Turkey’s two-time world medalist.

Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS), 61kg champion, was one of seven Dagestani wrestlers who won a gold medal at the Ivan Yariguin (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

5. Dagestani Dominance

Russia swept the freestyle competition in Siberia, winning all ten gold medals that were up for the taking, but Dagestan proved that they are the most dominant wrestling region, in the most dominant wrestling nation. Dagestani wrestlers led the way with a mind-blowing seven gold medalists. The three weight classes where a Dagestani wrestler didn’t win a gold medal were at 57kg, 74kg, and 125kg. Anzor KHIZRIEV (125kg) and Muslim SADULAEV (57kg) were the two Chechen gold medalists, and Zaurbek SIDAKOV, who is from Ossetia, won the final gold medal.

Ivan Yariguin Freestyle Champions
57kg - Muslim SADULAEV (Chechnya)
61kg - Magomedrasul IDRISOV (Dagestan)
65kg - Akhmed CHAKAEV (Dagestan)
70kg - Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (Dagestan)
74kg - Zaurbek SIDAKOV (Ossetia)
79kg - Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (Dagestan)
86kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (Dagestan)
92kg - Magomed KURBANOV (Dagestan)
97kg - Shamil MUSAEV (Dagestan)
125kg - Anzor KHIZRIEV (Chechnya)

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open: Azarpira beats Snyder; Zare, Susaki dominate

Friday, January 12, 2024 - 00:01 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 11) -- He was ready to take over the 97kg weight class in Iran after the Tokyo Olympics. He won the U23 World Championships aged 19 years. He repeated as the champion in 2022. But then Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) rose along with Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI).

After spending a year struggling at 92kg because of the decision of Iran's management, Amirali AZAPIRA (IRI) is back to his best at 97kg. He defeated Goleij and Mohammadian in Iran and shocked the wrestling world on Thursday with a controlled win over Kyle SNYDER (USA) at the Zagreb Open to win the gold medal.

Snyder, who was the favorite to win the gold medal, especially after his easy 4-0 win over Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) in the semifinal, was shut down by Azarpira in the second period, suffering a 6-3 loss after leading 3-0.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) scores on Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the 97kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Memories from last year's Zagreb Open final must have flashed for Azarpira as he lost that match 3-0 to return with a silver medal. But this year, despite Snyder's 3-0 lead, Azarpira continued his attacks and scored two takedowns in the second period to win 6-3.

"I had already thought about the final," Azarpira said. "I had practiced with the other guys [on the Iran team] for a long time for this competition. Last year, I lost to Snyder in the same tournament and the same final but this year, I was confident that I could defeat him."

Snyder led 1-0 at the break after Azarpira was on the activity clock and opened the second period with a takedown to lead 3-0. But Azarpira answered with a takedown of his own to make it 3-2 and added a stepout which Snyder challenged but lost.

Azarpira led 4-3 with over a minute remaining in the final and Snyder came close to scoring the winning stepout twice but Azarpira's defended well.

"It was a good takedown in the first period and then he got into my legs and scored," Snyder said. "I still had a minute and 15 seconds to score but could not. He had good defense. It was good to compete and keep learning. I need to get better at opening guys up and score points."

Azarpira used Iran's traditional underhooks and kept his legs away from Snyder's reach to avoid getting taken down or double-leg attacks.

"I was three points behind but I didn’t lose my focus because I had a plan," Azarpira said. "I knew that even if I was six points behind, I could win it. I was relieved because I already knew that I was going to win. My mind was ready for this competition and I had gained self-confidence."

Azarpira lost some of his self-confidence in 2023 when Iran decided to prepare him for the World Championships at 92kg after Ghasempour's injury. He finished fourth at the Ranking Series event in Budapest and eighth at the World Championships after a loss to Zahid VALENCIA (USA).

But come 2023, he won the Iran nationals to earn his spot for Zagreb and with the win over Snyder, he will be headed to the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek in April.

"I’ve been playing at the weight of 97kg for about three or four years and I fit in this weight," he said. "But according to the opinion of the technical staff of my country, they allowed me to participate in the World Championships at 92kg. But at this weight, considering the weight I lost and the circumstances, I didn’t have the necessary preparation for the competition and I was very annoyed during this time. But I wasn’t real me in the World Championships when I lost."

Azarpira opened the day with a 5-0 win over Radoslaw BARAN (POL) and survived a scare against Isaac TRUMBLE (USA) 8-7 before winning 10-0 against VICKY (UWW).

But Snyder was dominant in the first three matches. He defeated Tuerxunbieke MUHEITE (CHN), Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) and Cristian SARCO (VEN) via technical superiority. He would then beat Ghasempour 4-0 in their second career meeting.

Azarpira's win over Snyder has all but ended Ghasempour's Olympic hopes. Winning the quota in Bishkek would mean that Azapira's ticket to Paris is all but guaranteed.

"It can be said that this weight is the hardest weight in the World, Olympic, Asian," Azarpira said. "With the plans I have, I hope I can get the best results in this weight and I have high hopes in myself.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) defeated Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) 5-0 in the 125kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another Iran wrestler who has confirmed his Paris Olympics ticket is world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) as he defeated Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) in the 125kg final. The bout was a playoff for the Olympic spot as Masoumi had won the national championships. Like their previous encounters, Zare was in control of the bout which he won 5-0.

"Masoumi is a young and powerful wrestler and he wrestles with high physical strength," Zare said. "Because of that, I was under pressure but according to the training I had done before this tournament, I showed my body was ready to defeat all my opponents."

Throughout the day, Zare showed why he remains the top wrestler at 125kg, winning two bouts via technical superiority before the final.

"The competition was high level and in our weight, except for one or two wrestlers, the champions of different countries were all present and this shows that this year is the year of the Olympics," he said.

Having won the World Championships twice now and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Zare said that he would do everything in his control to win the Paris Olympics.

"The biggest dream of every athlete is Olympic gold and I practice and work hard every day to achieve the Olympic gold and I wanna do it not just once, but several times."

Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the 79kg gold after a 6-0 win over Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran's third gold medal was won by Mohamad NOKHODI (IRI) who recovered from a grueling semifinal against Evan WICK (USA) to win gold at 79kg with a 6-0 win over Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO). The two-time world silver medalist Iranian struggled with his conditioning in the semifinal but managed to win 6-6. In the final, he scored all the points in the first period and then defended Kentchadze's attacks to win the gold.

Kentchadze finished with a silver medal last year as well after losing to Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) in the final.

In the other non-Olympic weight class in Freestyle, Nathan JACKSON (USA) won the gold medal at 92kg after a fall over Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) in the final.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) defeated Ziqi FENG (CHN) in the 50kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Susaki show

A fully fit and rejuvenated Yui SUSAKI (JPN) remained untouchable in wrestling as she won the 50kg gold medal with ease, finishing each of her five bouts well before time.

Her opponent in the final and world bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) had similar results, finishing her three bouts before time but suffered a 10-0 loss to Susaki in the final.

At the World Championships, Feng had troubled Susaki and only lost 4-2 but Susaki said it wasn't a big deal.

"I have no injury now," Susaki said. "After the World Championships, I planned a lot [for Feng]."

The 24-year-old has been on a long exposure trip to Europe in which she trained in Germany and France.

"I want to train with foreign athletes and know the style," she said. "I have the Olympics so I want to feel the power of foreign wrestlers, how to fight them, how to plan against them. I had a great experience."

At 55kg, Samantha STEWART (CAN) came home with a gold medal after a 3-1 victory over Roksana ZASINA (POL) in the final.

RESULTS

Freestyle

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 6-0

BRONZE: Evan WICK (USA) df. Abdollah SHEIKHAZAMI (IRI),

92kg
GOLD: Nathan JACKSON (USA) df. Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO), via fall

BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Eric SCHULTZ (USA), 8-7

97kg
GOLD: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. Kyle SNYDER (USA), 6-3

BRONZE: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Erhan YAYLACI (TUR), 3-1
BRONZE: Isaac TRUMBLE (USA) df. VICKY (UWW), 8-5

125kg
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI), 5-0

BRONZE: Zhiwei DENG (CHN) df. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Mason PARRIS (USA) df. Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), 6-2

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. Ziqi FENG (CHN), 10-0

BRONZE: Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (AIN) df. Kseniya STANKEVICH (AIN), via fall (10-2)
BRONZE: Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 7-6

55kg
GOLD: Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Roksana ZASINA (POL), 3-1

BRONZE: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Roza SZENTTAMASI (HUN), 2-2
BRONZE: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) df. Albina RILLIA (UKR), via fall (4-0)